A place for all art and history lovers

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, is one of the most famous museums of India. Founded in the early years of the 20th century by some prominent citizens of Bombay, the Prince of Wales Museum was built to represent the ancient and medieval architectural styles of western India. It is a place for research for Indians and foreigners. Located in the heart of South Mumbai, it is housed in a domed building in the Indo-Saracenic style. Designed by architect George Wittet, it is a major attraction for all visitors and residents of the city.

 

The museum houses approximately 50,000 exhibits of ancient Indian history as well as objects from foreign lands, categorized primarily into three sections: Art, Archaeology and Natural History. The museum exhibits the varied styles and phase of Indian paintings ranging from the 11th and 12th century’s illustrated palm leaf manuscripts to early 19th century Pahari paintings. Its collections include Nepal-Tibetan art, Decorative art, Oil painting, Chinese porcelain, Miniature painting, Indus Valley Civilization and the Jehangir Art Gallery. The history section contains dioramas, and there is a collection of exhibits from the Maratha period (17th–18th century).

The exquisite examples of all the main schools of miniature painting are on view – Rajput, Mughal, Phari, and Deccani. One can also view the Mughal and Rajasthani schools of the 16th to 19th centuries that emerged out of past influences, indigenous Indian as well as Persian, Turkish and central Asian. The jewelry and glass collections are also noteworthy. The rarest and the oldest art and sculpture of the 11th century till the times of Tata’s can be seen and enjoyed. One gets so engrossed watching the coins, birds, and arms, to Buddhist life, ivories, and porcelain decorative that it becomes difficult to move out of the museum.